Dyson Heppell is one of Essendon’s most admired modern leaders – a former club captain, All-Australian and Rising Star winner whose career has been defined by resilience, professionalism and genuine connection with people.
Born and raised in Leongatha, Victoria, Dyson came through Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup before being taken with pick 8 in the 2010 AFL National Draft by the club he grew up supporting, Essendon.
He burst onto the scene in 2011, playing every game of his debut season and quickly becoming a key part of the Bombers’ line-up. That year he claimed the AFL Rising Star (Ron Evans Medal), the AFLPA Best First-Year Player and began a run of top-three finishes in Essendon’s Best & Fairest count, signalling his status as one of the competition’s most exciting young players.
Across a 14-year AFL career with Essendon (2011–2024), Dyson played 253 games and kicked 68 goals, becoming just the 15th player in club history to reach the 250-game milestone. His standout 2014 season saw him average elite numbers through the midfield, win the Crichton Medal (Essendon’s Best & Fairest) and earn All-Australian honours. In 2017, Dyson was appointed captain of Essendon, a role he held for six seasons through to 2022, leading the club 107 times. He was widely regarded as the “ultimate clubman”: a player who set standards in preparation and effort, but just as importantly, invested in teammates, staff and supporters. His leadership spanned both finals pushes and challenging periods for the club, cementing his reputation as a steady, values-driven figurehead.
Dyson announced his retirement from AFL in August 2024, calling time on a decorated career while still playing high-level, impactful football.Not ready to hang up the boots altogether, he has since committed to a two-year deal with Port Melbourne in the VFL as a playing assistant coach and community ambassador, allowing him to stay close to the game while mentoring younger players and engaging with the local community.
Beyond the AFL: Purpose, Community & New Ventures
Away from the field, Dyson has consistently looked for ways to use his profile to drive impact.
Over many years he has been deeply involved in community and charity work, particularly around health and social issues. His long-standing connection with the scleroderma community culminated in the launch of Haych, a purpose-led streetwear and athleisure label he co-founded with his wife Kate.
Haych is inspired by their close friendship with Harrison Pennicott, a young, footy-mad teenager living with a rare and severe form of scleroderma. Harrison’s artwork and handwritten phrases are woven into the pieces, with the label designed to help fund bucket-list experiences for him and his family and, over time, support more kids facing serious illness. The brand sits at the intersection of fashion, storytelling and social impact, and has already involved collaborations such as a special hoodie created with the AFL Players’ Association.
Dyson also lends his time and energy to broader causes – including initiatives focused on homelessness and social disadvantage – reflecting his genuine interest in people and community rather than transactional partnerships.
Brand Alignment & Partnership Space
Now based in Melbourne, Dyson is selectively building a portfolio of partnerships that make sense for the next chapter of his life:
Premium yet grounded lifestyle – home, hosting, premium beverages, fashion and considered off-field rituals.
Performance and recovery – fitness, recovery tools, health optimisation and longevity.
Purpose-driven brands – organisations with a strong community, sustainability or social impact story.
On camera, Dyson is calm, articulate and authentic. Years of captaincy, media commitments and major-stage moments mean he’s comfortable in broadcast, content and live event environments, equally at home in long-form storytelling or punchy, social-first content.
Dyson Heppell is available for brand partnerships, campaigns, ambassadorships, speaking, content collaborations and community initiatives through Bravo Talent Management.